Explore Everyday Health

The Best Careers for People With ADHD

Choosing a career path can be tricky for a people with ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. A psychiatrist and ADHD coaches help you find a job to capitalize on your strengths...

People with ADHD may have a tough time completing paperwork or projects, especially if they’re boring. Prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines also may be a challenge.

The neurological condition may make it harder to succeed in some jobs, because “ADHD brains are wired differently,” says psychiatrist William Dodson, M.D., founder of the Denver-area Dodson ADHD Center.

“When their attention is engaged, they do it,” Dr. Dodson adds. “If it bores them, they don’t.”

Tasks must meet specific conditions for people with ADHD to get them done: They should be “interesting, challenging, novel and have a do-or-die deadline,” he says.

If you have ADHD, it’s critical to find a job that keeps you motivated and engaged. A certified ADHD coach can help you do that.

1. First responderHate being desk-bound? Like solving challenging problems every day? Or do you thrive on the adrenaline rush of an emergency?

Consider a career as a firefighter, police officer or emergency medical technician (EMT), suggests Sherri Dolheimer, an ADHD coach in York, Pa. First responders don’t spend much time at a desk, and they never know when the next emergency will occur, Dolheimer says.

“Every day is different, and that’s great when you have ADHD,” she says. “Being needed immediately to solve a new problem or deal with a new situation is very stimulating.”

But a person with ADHD may need help with the training and studying required to become certified, she says.

“A good mentor – someone who has been through the process – can help a lot during training, so don’t be afraid to reach out to someone who’s been on the job for a while,” she advises.

2. Trauma physician or nurseMany people with ADHD find the constant activity in a trauma facility or emergency room brings out their best, Dr. Dodson says.

“If have a heart attack, I want my ER doctor to have ADHD,” he says. “I know [he or she] will be hyper-focused on the situation — a good [trait] in an emergency.”

Emergencies require everyone on the team to work together. That kind of support and teamwork helps a person with ADHD be even more successful, Dr. Dodson says.

“The entertainment industry is full of people with ADHD [including Howie Mandel, Jim Carrey, Karina Smirnoff and Ryan Gosling],” says Giwerc. “The creativity and diversity – and constant social engagement – is good for a person with ADHD.”

Many people with ADHD are “uninhibited and impulsive,” Giwerc says.

That’s why being onstage or in front of a camera is a good fit.

4. Truck DriverMany people with ADHD can’t bear sitting in an office all day. That’s why being a delivery driver – whether you deliver packages, furniture or produce – can be a great career for ADHD adults who work best with tight structure and clear deadlines, Dr. Dodson says.

“You have a list of deliveries that have to be made by certain times, and your truck has to be empty at the end of the day,” he explains.

That’s perfect for people with ADHD who would become bored if they had to drive long distances every day on the same route, over and over, he says.

“You’ve got a blueprint, so every person knows exactly what to do,” notes Giwerc, who spent many years in building trades.

Many construction workers are kinesthetic learners, which means they learn and work best when they can use their hands, Giwerc says.

“The trades allow you to move around, listen to your music and work on new projects all the time,” he says. “It’s perfect for people with ADHD who don’t do well when they’re stuck in an office.”

6. MilitaryDo you thrive in a predictable, well-organized environment? A military career may be more your style, Dr. Dodson says.

The military provides a “very clear structure,” and people with ADHD know that they’ll be physically active on the job, he says.

“About 40% of non-commissioned officers [corporals and sergeants] in the U.S. military have ADHD,” he says. “They’re very bright, energetic people, but school just wasn’t for them.”

The military also provides all the basics of life, including meals, transportation and a place to live.

7. EntrepreneurOwning a business can be the right fit for a person with ADHD.

“If you know what you love to do, you have the skills, and like being your own boss, you can create a great career,” Ratey says.

“But you’ll need to delegate [some tasks] to someone else – to keep records, do the billing, and whatever it takes to keep your business on track,” Ratey says.

That’s why Dolheimer suggests you have a good team (or at least an assistant) in place.

People with ADHD “love to be the boss who’s making things happen,” she says. “But [they] need some help meeting deadlines and filling out forms.”

8. SalespersonAre you a good communicator? Do you like being around people? A career in sales might be your ticket to success.

“People with ADHD do well in sales because they like being around people and many are good listeners and speakers,” Giwerc says.

“They’re usually gregarious and outgoing and have plenty of confidence,” Dr. Dodson adds. “They enjoy meeting new people and going new places, and you do that in sales.”

9. Artist or graphic artistIs your talent and passion leading you into a life of artistic expression? That’s great.

The best fields for people with ADHD involve a high level of creativity and autonomy, Ratey says.

“Artists can usually set their own hours, so that’s another plus,” Ratey says. “But you may need someone else to sell your work – an agent or marketer – since that’s probably not a part of [an artist’s career] that you’ll probably enjoy.”

Sign up for our Mental Health & Mood Disorders Newsletter!

Thanks for signing up for our newsletter! You should see it in your inbox very soon.